Some not-so-surprising news from the European Union from DPReview: a plan to tax at a higher rate certain digital still cameras which meet all three of the following criteria, thus being classified as “video camera recorders”:

• Higher than 800x600 resolution
• Duration of video 30 minutes or more
• 23 fps

The specs on the Official Camera, if they still sold it, would not qualify for this “special” classification because it records video at 640x480, so that stops it right there. The official statement from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) stated that the EU will not retroactively tax any items sold up to this point, and that’s a good thing.
That said, I am not sure how much extra this will end up costing consumers who purchase high-tech devices which always seem to be improving. Besides, the Official Camera was supposedly out of date six months after I purchased it. Nevertheless, I am keeping it for the foreseeable future.
Here’s another thought: is it possible the EU wants to regulate citizen bloggers by this tax’s imposition? Again, not enough information. So let’s keep an eye on this one and see how things develop.